Supporting bracket



Oct. 1, 1935. E. J. ELSON 2,015,345

SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Oct. 14; 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .7277/[277 for.

Oct. 1, 1935. E. J. ELSON 2,015,345

SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Oct. 14, 195:5 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 157%?! for:

f {Eky @forzze Oct. 1, 1935. E. J. ELSON SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Oct. 14, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. l, 1935 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvement in supporting brackets and refers specifically to a bracket structure for supporting boxes .or other 'containersshelves and the like, the structure being characterized in that the boxes, containers,

shelves or the like may be supported at a plurality of predetermined angular positions by the use of one set of brackets.

The utility, objects and advantages of my inl vention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detail description.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a side elevational view illustrating a pair of brackets comprising my invention supporting a box.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the brackets shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 5 is a detailed top plan view, illustrating means for mounting the bracket upon a supporting clamp.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to that shown in Fig. 1 of another position in said brackets.

Fig. 7 is a similar View showing a further different position.

Fig. 8 is a similar View illustrating another position.

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing still another position.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view illustrating my brackets as a shelf support. i

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the shelf and brackets.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken on line l2-l2 of Fig. 11. i

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line l3--l3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line I l-44 of Fig. 11.

Referring in detailto the drawings, l indicates a supporting structure which may comprise a shelf, acounter or the like. Structure I as is usually the case, has a projecting ledge 2 upon which clamps 3 maybe removably mounted. Each clamp 3 may be constructed of metal and may comprise a pair of spaced projecting arms 4 and 5 rigidly secured at an angle to one leg of U-shaped members 6. ArmsA' and 5 are adapted to brace the projecting ledge 2 and arm 5 may be tapped to receive the shank of set screw 1. When positioned upon ledge 2, arm 4 rests upon the top of said ledge and the end of set screw 1 may be brought into contact with the lower face of the ledge whereby clamp 3 may be firmly maintained in position.

As will be hereinafter more fully described, the U-shaped portion 6 of each of the clamps 3 is adapted to support a bracket 8 which may be 5 triangular in shape. For purposes of description, bracket 8 is shown in the form of an isosceles right triangle. However, it is to be understood that broadly my invention comprises a bracket of any geometric shape provided that 10 the bracket when mounted on clamp 3 presents a straight side suitable for the support of a box container or shelf.

Bracket B is preferably constructed of metal and each leg thereof may carry a pair of op- 5 posite, rigidly attached or integral longitudinally disposed flanges 9 projecting from the face of the leg. The central portions ll of each of the flanges Gmay be relatively higher than the remaining parts of the flanges for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. A sleeve ll may be provided adjacent corresponding ends of each of the legsof the bracket 8, said sleeve being soldered, welded or otherwise rigidly secured between opposite flanges 9 so as to provide a slot in which one leg of the U-shaped member 6 may engage to support the bracket from the counter or shelf I. The width and thickness of the leg of the U-shaped member 6 which thus engages in said slot are substantially the same as the inner dimensions of the sleeve H so that said leg fits snugly in the slot obviating side play of the bracket.

In utilizing brackets 8, a pair of clamps 3 may be secured to ledge 2 in spaced relation.

one position of the brackets is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and to secure this position, that sleeve ll, hereinafter referred to as sleeve a, may engage the leg of U-shaped member 6. In this position the major portion of the brackets 8 is above the plane of the ledge 2:and the box, container or-shelf to be supported by the brackets may be disposed along the hypotenuse of the triangular brackets.

For purposes of description, brackets 8, in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are illustrated as supportingbox l2. Box l2 may comprise a' usual cookie or cake box, the body portion of which maybe constructed of cardboard or the like. and the'upper side edges thereof are folded as shown best at I3 in Fig. 3 providing a downwardly extending flange It A cover I5 is utilized in conjunction with box l2 and may comprise a metal frame portion 16 and ahinged cover- [155 This type of box is well known'in the art V i That portion of frame [6 which is positioned over the folded edges [3 of box i2, is provided with a downwardly extending flange l8, the lower end of which is curved as shown best at 19 in Fig. 3, said curved portion being adapted to engage the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange Hi of box I2. Cover IT may comprise a frame portion 2% having an aperture 2! in its center. Glass 22 may be positioned over said aperture whereby the contents of box i2 may be observed by a prospective customer. By the provision of flanges 9 upon the hypotenuse legs of the brackets 8, box 52 may be supported between said brackets, the flanges being engageable between flanges It and the side walls of the box. In this manner the plane of the box is disposed at an angle parallel brackets 8.

In the retail merchandising of such products as food stuffs or the like, it is most desirable that the merchandise for sale be conspicuous. However, inasmuch as the shelf space, counter space, and show case space in the usual store is more or less limited, only a limited number of items may be presented to the view of the customer. By the use of my invention the display facilities of a store may be materially increased inasmuch as a set of brackets 3 may be positioned as an auxiliary display support at substantially any desired portion of the store. Thismeans of proto the hypotenuse of the viding display supports or facilities is extremely of the ledge ,2.

flexible inasmuch as the same can be conveniently changed from place to place depending upon variations in the stock distribution in the store.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, brackets 8 are shown as being mounted in a different position from those shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this position of said brackets, member 6 engages sleeve a oppositely to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 whereby legs of the triangular brackets 8 are disposed'parallel to the plane of the ledge 2. In this position of brackets 3, box 12 may be carried with its top in a horizontal position.

Fig. 7 illustrates another manner in which brackets 8 may be positioned. In this disposition of the brackets, member 6 engages that sleeve H, hereinafter referred to as sleeve 12, carried at one end of the hypotenuse. Box i2 supported by said brackets is positioned between the legs of the triangular members, the angle which the face of said box makes with the horizontal being slightly greater than that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In like manner, member 6 may engage sleeve 1) in the reverse direction whereby box l2 will be carried at the same angle as shown in Fig. 7, but will be positioned beneath the plane This latter disposition of the brackets is not shown but will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring particularly to Fig. 8 another position of brackets 8 is shown wherein member 6 engages that sleeve H carried upon one leg of the bracket adjacent the hypotenuse, said sleeve being hereinafter referred to as sleeve 0. In this position of brackets 8, box IE will be positioned upon the horizontal legs of the brackets, the face of the box being disposed at an angle to the horizontal the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

but said box will be positioned beneath the plane of ledge 2.

Fig. 9 illustrates another manner in which brackets 8 may be mountedwherein member 6 engages sleeve 0 in a direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 8. In this position of. the brackets,

box l2 will be disposed with its face in a horizontal plane, said plane being above the plane of ledge 2.

It can readily be seen that one set of brackets 8 may be utilized to support boxes or other containers in a plurality of angular positions permitting said boxes to be displayed in a conspicuous manner and in substantially a position which may be accommodated to the stock or fixture distribution of the store. 10

Referring particularly to Figs. 10, ll, 12, 13. and 14, an alternate use of my invention is shown. Bracketsfl may be mounted upon clamps 3 in any one of the'positions shown in Figs. 1, 6, 7, 8 or 9, or said brackets may be mounted as shown in Fig. 10. A shelf 23 may be supported by brackets 8 and may comprise members 24 and 25, each of which includes a flat plate portion, one longitudinal edge of which is bent at an angle to the plane of the plate as shown best at 26 in Figs. 10 and 12. Members 24 and may be telescopically related with respect to each other, member 25 having folded edges 21 and 23 within which member 24 may slide to increase or decrease the effective length of shelf 23. Each 25 member 25 and 25 may be provided with transverse spaced slots 29 into which the extended central portions H] of flanges 9 may be positioned whereby members 24 and 25 comprising shelf 23 may be supported. When shelf 23 is carried 30 at an angle as shown in Fig. 10, or in a position corresponding to the disposition of the brackets in Figs. 1, 7 or 8, the bent portions 26 are positioned at the lower edge of said shelf, whereby articles of merchandise may be supported and prevented from sliding'from the shelf. By the engagement of flanges l0 and slots 29, shelf 23 when thus disposed, is prevented from sliding from the supporting brackets. In this connection, the ends of flanges it may be provided with 40 slots 30 whereby members 24 and 25 may be more positively secured to the brackets.

By the provision of the telescopic arrangement of members 25 and 25, shelf 23 may be increased or decreased in length, within predetermined limits, by changing the distance between brackets 8. In the event that a maximum shelf length or spread is desired, the inner slots 28 of the members 25 and 25 may be brought into coincidence and a bracket 8 may be utilized to support the central portion of the shelf, flanges it of the central bracket engaging in the registered slots 29. In a similar manner more sections of shelf may be added, said sections being similar to members 2 5 and 25, or if the members 2 2 or 25 are constructed of relatively great length or are employed to support comparatively heavy weights, slots, not shown, similar to slots 29 may be provided intermediate the lengths of said members, whereby additional brackets 8 may be used.

It is apparent that herein is provided a bracket structure which is ideally adapted to display purposes, the bracket being especially characterized in its flexibility of use, economy of construction and simplicity of design. As has been hereinbefore described, boxes, containers or shelves may be supported at any one of a plurality of angular positions and the change from one position to another involves a minimum number of simple operations. The brackets may be supported from any type of ledge, shelf or counter and if desired,

the bite of clamps 3 comprising arms 4 and 5 and screw 7, may be so arranged as to grip a vertical or other angularly projecting ledge, In 7 this manner, brackets 8 may be supported from 2. A supporting bracket of the class described bins orthe like, not shown. having a plurality of sides and being polygonal I claim as my invention: in shape, at least two sides of said polygon be- 1. A supporting bracket of the class described ing of different length, each side of said polygon having a plurality of sides'and being polygonal being provided with a slot adjacent an end of in shape, each side of said polygon being prosaid side, one of which slots is engageable with vided with a slot adjacent an end of said side, a tongue for carrying said bracket. one of which slots is engageable with a tongue for carrying said bracket. EMANUEL J. ELSON. 

